REDLANDS >> At just under three-months-young, Cheliz is Redlands’ newest diner style eatery.

Located on the north side of Redlands, Cheliz is situated in the same shopping center as Ranch Market off Lugonia Avenue.

I went to visit them for the great breakfasts people were buzzing about only to find they are also open for lunch and dinner.

The interior is smaller than I imagined, but probably just the right size now that I have gotten the chance to visit them.

I went with a party of eight that included four young children. On this particular late Sunday morning, there were several families with small children eating alongside us. Staff were extremely welcoming to the children and the menu had a wide selection of children’s breakfast and lunch plates all priced at $4.25.

The menu features omelets, pancakes, waffles, French toast, oatmeal and combination plates at breakfast. For lunch they offer hot and cold sandwiches, soups, salads and hamburgers. Dinner includes offerings of steaks, pasta, homestyle specialties such as honey stung fried chicken, roast turkey and liver and onions. There is also a dessert menu with fruit tarts, cakes and cheesecake.

For breakfast we chose children’s plates of Mickey Mouse pancakes and Belgian waffles with added strawberries ($1.90 upgrade). Each meal came with a selection of eggs and sausage or bacon.

We had been given coffees and water as soon as we were seated and greeted. Coffees were constantly being refilled, but it was harder to get a water refill. Also, the meals were delivered one by one, and not in a very timely manner. The sides of eggs and toast were completely forgotten and there was a misunderstanding about whether one of the children wanted a side of meat or not.

On a positive, and far more important note, all the food we received was outstanding. The breakfast burrito had an exceptional balance of ingredients inside so that each bite contained some bacon, cheese, eggs and potatoes. We had asked for salsa on the side and they brought a delicious spicy green sauce that complimented the burrito excellently.

The chicken fried steak was tender inside and had a wonderfully crunchy breaded exterior. It was served with a creamy sausage gravy and fluffy scrambled eggs. The hashbrowns were good, but I would opt for their homestyle potatoes with green peppers on a future visit.

Each of the four children at the table cleaned their entire plates ,which is a miraculous feat any parent would celebrate.

When all was said and done, staff was highly apologetic about their errors, inferring they were slightly overwhelmed with their early success. Their grace under pressure and the delicious food more than made up for the missteps.

I look forward to Cheliz acquiring better efficiency and service and will return soon to explore their menu further.

CHELIZ

Diner

800 E. Lugonia Ave,

Redlands, CA 92374

909-793-7887

HOW IT STACKED UP

Cleanliness: 5 plates. Very clean interior and exterior.

Service: 2 plates. Unfortunately they need to work out a few issues regarding efficiency and delegation of responsibilities — easily forgiven mistakes for a restaurant so young.